A TEENAGE girl was injured after being repeatedly punched in the face by a boy at her school in a dispute over a mobile phone.

Fourteen-year-old Toni Rooke was set upon by a younger pupil at Park Hall School, in Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich.

Her father, Paul Roath, said she was subjected to a "violent assault" in what was an unprovoked attack.

The school has responded by suspending the pupil concerned, while West Midlands Police have issued a youth reprimand to a boy at the school. This is similar to a police caution in respect of an adult.

Mr Roath, of Laburnum Avenue, Kingshurst, near Solihull, said: "My daughter had her phone taken off her by a group of lads in breaktime.

"She managed to get it back, but she was then kicked in the back and punched in the face by one of these lads. This was a violent and unprovoked assault and we can't believe what little action has been taken."

Park Hall head teacher Neil Craven said: "We take all incidents like this very seriously and have suspended the pupil concerned while an investigation takes place and meetings held this week with both sets of parents. Until this happens, we are in no position to discuss the permanency of the exclusion."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said they were called to the school following report of an assault.

"There was an argument between two pupils that got out of hand which resulted in the victim being punched in the face," he said. "The offender was dealt with by way of a youth reprimand as he is a juvenile."